The Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly issued a warning for the Middle East's only democracy.
According to officials, Israel is at risk after a precision strike against the Iranian consulate in Damascus that members of the U.S. intelligence community deemed “reckless.” A U.S. commander in the region has issued a warning that U.S. troops are also at risk.
The airstrike killed Iranian General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who supervised Tehran's covert military operations and proxy activities in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian territories.
As part of the embassy compound, Iran argues that the strike constitutes an attack on Iranian territory. However, reports suggest that the building served as an outpost for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF).
Regardless, Iran has vowed revenge, leaving the West increasingly concerned. The developments are being extensively covered by foreign media, including the U.K.'s Daily Express:
Tehran is said to be planning a combined attack with a “rain” of drones and missiles fired from its bases at strategic locations inside Israel, according to Al Mayadeen.
This comes after US officials raised fears that the Israeli strike could lead to a wider war in the Middle East.
Ralph Goff, a former senior CIA official who operated in the Middle East, said Israel's strike was “reckless” adding that “it will only result in escalation by Iran and its proxies.”
Speaking to the New York Times, he added that Israel is trying to hit the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to “punish them for ongoing plots to kill or kidnap Israeli Jews around the world.”
IRGC-QF commanders were allegedly meeting with leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad to coordinate activities in Gaza and the West Bank when the missile struck.
Other IRGC-QF commanders reportedly killed in the strike include Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haj Rahimi, Quds Force Commander Palestine, and Gen. Hossein Amanollahi, Quds Force Chief of General Staff.
Israel has placed its embassies on high alert globally due to the escalated threat, per local reports. Israeli officials have been cautioned by security forces to avoid public appearances.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to indicate that its patience with the Netanyahu-led government in Israel is wearing thin.
In a phone call following the deaths of aid workers in Gaza, President Biden told Prime Minister Netanyahu that continued U.S. support for Israel depended on the living conditions of the two million civilians in Gaza. Biden also demanded that Netanyahu implement an immediate ceasefire, provided that Hamas releases the remaining Israeli hostages from October 7.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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